Komen Sacramento Expands Service Area

For Immediate Release
August 20, 2011

THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY AFFILIATE OF SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE EXPANDS IT SERVICE AREA TO INCLUDE GLENN AND TEHAMA COUNTIES

Previously Underserved, these Rural Communities are Now Eligible to Receive
Breast Health Services and Education

(Sacramento, CA) – The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has expanded its 17-county service area to now include Glenn and Tehama counties.   With this expansion, residents can now receive services in the neighboring city of Chico, California through the California Health Collaborative breast cancer program.

“Our goal is to ensure that we are providing breast health services and education to as many people as possible,” said Donna Sanderson, executive director of the Komen Sacramento Affiliate.  “Glenn and Tehama counties are severely lacking in these services, that’s why it makes perfect sense for us to expand our program to help more individuals and ultimately save more lives.”

Glenn and Tehama counties have a combined population of 90,000 residents.  Over the years, the California Health Collaborative, a grantee of Komen’s, was unable to fulfill requests from women in these counties for breast cancer services.  Now, because of the expanded service area, these individuals, especially those in rural areas, will have greater access to care.

“These counties house a large population of immigrant and low-income families, making breast health services even less accessible,” continued Sanderson.  "Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States.  The services we’ll be providing are vitally important and will help better educate women about the importance of early detection through screening, improved treatment methods, risk factors and more…giving them a greater chance of survival.”
Since its inception, the Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has brought in millions of dollars to support breast cancer services and education for the greater Sacramento region.